In the ongoing drama of whether or not Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” will be released in cinemas this year, yet another twist emerges: it still might. At least in Europe, potentially. According to a report from Variety, Warner Bros. is reaching out to international exhibitors to try and figure out a possible late August launch for “Tenet” overseas, If it takes place, it would mean that the “time inversion’ thriller, which was expected to be among the biggest summer releases, might still have the debut Nolan has insisted on after all.
READ MORE: AMC Theatres Delays Reopening Again In Light Of ‘Tenet’ Move
The studio delayed the film’s release indefinitely earlier this week, but nonetheless exhibitors in the U.K., France, and Spain have been told by the studio to plan for an Aug. 26-28 launch. As in the U.S., international cinemas are all looking for a tentpole film to usher audiences back into screens, “Tenet” being chief among them.
The dates aren’t confirmed, but Variety’s sources apparently indicate that these talks are positive, and that the studio is also aiming to release the film early in Asia, with exhibitors in the region expecting to receive a new date in the next few days. However, considering how fast the situation has been changing with the coronavirus as well as the numerous ongoing cases in Europe, this is still all subject to change (and likely will).
READ MORE: WB Delays ‘Tenet’ Indefinitely & Says Film Won’t Have A “Traditional” Release
Jocelyn Bouyssy, managing director of CGR Cinemas, France’s second-biggest multiplex chain, said in an earlier Variety report talking to international exhibitors that it would be a “catastrophe” if both “Tenet” and “Mulan” are further delayed — two scenarios that came to pass in the last week, among numerous other delays from major studios. “We’ve been sticking to it against [all odds] because we don’t want people to forget about us, but we don’t know how long we can hold up like this”.
It still remains to be seen what “Tenet‘s” release will actually look like, perhaps the date might even be palindromic again.